FHA in the Great Recession: Rebalancing Its Role

The Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund has a negative net worth as of FY2012, partly because of the weak economic recovery and partly because its policy has been directed to supporting homeownership at the risk of incurring more defaults. Although recently announced reforms should reduce losses, higher insurance premiums and lower loan-to-value ratios will still be necessary. But FHA faced and survived similar situations before, and should be able to do so again, without draconian limitations on its authority.